Parramatta. Crime prevention priority

NSW Attorney General, John Hatzistergos, said the Rees Government had endorsed a Parramatta City Council crime prevention plan. He said the council was eligible for $100,000 in funding, double the amount usually made available to local governments. The additional funding was available because the NSW Government has identified Parramatta as one of six priority crime prevention locations. He said council was planning to provide additional free bus services to drive a loop around the city area, specifically to move patrons of licensed premises to transport hubs. He said council planed to carry out an audit of lighting and blind spots in Church Street Mall, upgrade safety at council-managed car parks as well as other popular public areas in Parramatta.

Parramatta. Reduction on investment income

Parramatta City Council expects a $1.4 million reduction in expected annual investment income resulting from the global financial crisis. “This is partially offset by lower interest rate cost applying to council’s variable interest rate loans,” its December quarterly review noted. “The continuing effects of the global financial crisis will be felt over the coming months and it will be necessary for council to continue to carefully monitor its financial position in a difficult environment.”